Valdisanti Toscana 2020
Toscana IGT, Tenuta San Giovanni, Tuscany, Italy 🇮🇹
Overview
Named in honor of Pier Luigi Tolaini’s mother, Valdisanti is Tolaini’s signature Super Tuscan from Tenuta San Giovanni—right at the southern edge of Chianti Classico. The 2020 vintage is crafted entirely from estate-grown fruit and features a 50% Cabernet Sauvignon / 50% Cabernet Franc blend. This pure Bordeaux-style combination underscores both structure and aromatic vibrancy, reflecting both modern winemaking finesse and Tuscan terroir.  
Aromas & Flavors
Dark and compelling on the nose—black cherry, ripe cassis, and tobacco merge with aromatic notes of Mediterranean herbs, graphite, and leather. Layered hints of licorice and espresso build toward a rich, spice-kissed finish.   
Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and structured with firm yet supple tannins and lively acidity. The wine is generous on the palate yet balanced, leading to a long finish that reveals depth and elegant austerity.   
Winemaking Notes
Grapes are meticulously hand-harvested and optically sorted, then fermented on skins for 25 days in French oak vats. Aging continues for 16 months in French barriques, including 6 months on lees, drawing out both richness and aging potential.  
Food Pairing
Pairs brilliantly with Tuscan specialties like bistecca alla Fiorentina, wild boar ragù, or aged Pecorino Toscano. Its structure also complements urban grills, roasted game, or hearty stews.
Verdict
Valdisanti 2020 is a refined Super Tuscan that marries Bordeaux balance with Tuscan character. With its 50/50 Cabernet blend and meticulous winemaking, this wine is both graceful and powerful—a true standout for collectors and dinner tables alike. It will cellar beautifully over the next 10–15 years. A la salute!! — 2 months ago
Good and complex but the price is definitely high thankfully was a gift — 3 months ago
Fruit forward, delicious dolcetto — 3 months ago
Black cherry, raspberry preserves, currant, blackberry, vanilla and oak. Full-bodied and soft tannins. — 18 days ago
A wonderful mature and complex nose of cherries , plums , dried leaves and leather. What pleased me the most was the lack of alcohol aromas given the warmth of the vintage . Just as pleasing was the lack of alcohol on the palate. The weight of the wine on the palate I’m sure was the result of the vintage. Cherries, plums and tobacco flavors were in harmony. Tannins lingered. If I had a “nit” it was the lack of great complexity on the palate.. — 2 months ago

Winemaker dinner at Nari. This was clearly young and tasted next to the 2011 missing the depth of maturity — 3 months ago
It’s got that CA profile. Dusty earth and tooti frooti but also has some good spice. But yea, that CA profile. Elegant, sweet and balanced. Not big but small and pure. Nice. — 5 months ago

Fantastic. A southeast brunello. Immediately dark cherry, touches of plums, spice, and the acidity and tannins integrated well. As it decanted, the tannins soften drastically with the acidity slightly overpowering, but nevertheless, the fruit stayed and lingered til the end. — a month ago
Over the hill — 4 months ago
2019 Cab at Kuumbwa Jazz Club in Santa Cruz. Raul Midon concert. — 3 months ago
Winemaker dinner at Nari. Fabulous and if not tied for WOTN it might win in some cases. — 3 months ago
2021. Drove to Omaha to attend an Arnot-Roberts wine class and tasting, and got there early to enjoy some delicious oysters with a bottle of fantastic Chardonnay that wasn’t on the tasting list. Unfortunately, Nathan Roberts flights were delayed and the class was cancelled, but we’re going home with a bunch of tasty wines instead! — 4 months ago
Jay Kline

Poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service; no formal notes due to the setting. It has been a few years since I last enjoyed the 2015 and I am happy to report that it is now very much open for business. The fruit is on full display and the oak is much better integrated. The structure is still quite firm but I found everything to be in better balance than it was upon release. This is squarely and its drinking window and should remain that way through the remainder of this decade and likely, well beyond. Drink now through 2030+ — 2 months ago